What would LBJ do?

Editor's note:As President Barack Obama struggles to win support for health care reform, a former aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson reflects, "What would LBJ do?" Might Obama take a lesson or two from the late Texas Democrat?

• He would threaten, cajole, flirt, flatter and hug. And he would get the bill passed.

— Tom Johnson, Special to the Times

Tom Johnson (no relation) served as an aide to President Johnson for eight years, four in the White House and four in Texas (1965-1973). Later, he was publisher of the Los Angeles Times and chief executive officer of CNN.